February 13, 2018

MSF in Yemen: Crisis update January 2018

MSF is in Yemen to support the Yemeni populations affected by the conflict on all sides of the frontlines. We work in 13 hospitals and health centres and provide support to more than 20 hospitals or health centres across 11 Yemeni governorates: Taiz, Aden, Ad Dhale, Sa’ada, Amran, Hajjah, Ibb, Sana’a, Abyan, Shabwa and Lahj.

Yemen is one of MSF’s largest missions of the world in terms of personnel, with approximately 1,827 national staff and 93 international staff.

Key figures

• Population: 27.4 million (OCHA)

• An estimated 22.2 million in need of humanitarian or protection support (OCHA)

• 17 million people food insecure (OCHA)

• 14.8 million people in need of basic healthcare (OCHA)

• An estimated 4.5 million children and pregnant or lactating women are acutely malnourished (OCHA)

• 2.9 million of internally displaced people and returnees (OCHA)

• 1,900 out of 3,507 health facilities in 16 governorates are either non-functional or partially functioning (WHO)

In 2017, MSF sent 1,496 tonnes of medical supplies and equipment to Yemen. Between March 2015 and December 2017, we sent 3,912 tonnes.

A large-scale humanitarian emergency

The escalation in fighting in Yemen has created a large-scale humanitarian emergency, with the war and blockade taking a heavy toll on civilians. The collapse of the health system and the deterioration of living conditions are having tangible and devastating effects on the population.

The blockade, still in place for commercial goods and some humanitarian aid since 2015, was strengthened in December 2017. It has a deep impact on access to food, water and healthcare for Yemenis and on the economic situation in the country. Limiting imports to “emergency and relief” items as designated by the Saudi-led coalition is not enough to sustain the needs of the Yemeni population. MSF insists on the need for a wider reopening of ports and airports for commercial purposes to prevent further suffering.

MSF faces growing administrative impediments to working in Yemen. Over the past six months, the administrative procedures for visas, travel authorisations and imports to Yemen have increased considerably. The rules required by different authorities change frequently and hamper our capacity to deliver aid.

Comments

MSF is in Yemen to support the Yemeni populations affected by the conflict on all sides of the frontlines. We work in 13 hospitals and health centres and provide support to more than 20 hospitals or health centres across 11 Yemeni governorates: Taiz, Aden, Ad Dhale, Sa’ada, Amran, Hajjah, Ibb, Sana’a, Abyan, Shabwa and Lahj.

Yemen is one of MSF’s largest missions of the world in terms of personnel, with approximately 1,827 national staff and 93 international staff.

Key figures

• Population: 27.4 million (OCHA)

• An estimated 22.2 million in need of humanitarian or protection support (OCHA)

• 17 million people food insecure (OCHA)

• 14.8 million people in need of basic healthcare (OCHA)

• An estimated 4.5 million children and pregnant or lactating women are acutely malnourished (OCHA)

• 2.9 million of internally displaced people and returnees (OCHA)

• 1,900 out of 3,507 health facilities in 16 governorates are either non-functional or partially functioning (WHO)

In 2017, MSF sent 1,496 tonnes of medical supplies and equipment to Yemen. Between March 2015 and December 2017, we sent 3,912 tonnes.

A large-scale humanitarian emergency

The escalation in fighting in Yemen has created a large-scale humanitarian emergency, with the war and blockade taking a heavy toll on civilians. The collapse of the health system and the deterioration of living conditions are having tangible and devastating effects on the population.

The blockade, still in place for commercial goods and some humanitarian aid since 2015, was strengthened in December 2017. It has a deep impact on access to food, water and healthcare for Yemenis and on the economic situation in the country. Limiting imports to “emergency and relief” items as designated by the Saudi-led coalition is not enough to sustain the needs of the Yemeni population. MSF insists on the need for a wider reopening of ports and airports for commercial purposes to prevent further suffering.

MSF faces growing administrative impediments to working in Yemen. Over the past six months, the administrative procedures for visas, travel authorisations and imports to Yemen have increased considerably. The rules required by different authorities change frequently and hamper our capacity to deliver aid.